Targeting media delivery to a mobile audience

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may perform, for example, operations including determining a representative trajectory of a number of mobile devices relative to a media presentation device, such as a digital billboard. An audience of the number of mobile devices is identified and user characteristics are obtained of the audience. A representative interest of the audience is determined from the user characteristics of the audience, and a media content item is selected according to the representative interest and the representative trajectory. The media content item is presented at the media presentation device to expose the audience to the media content item. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to targeting media delivery to a mobileaudience.

BACKGROUND

Media content, such as advertisements or informative messages, can bepresented on configurable media presentation devices, such as electronicbillboards. Such electronic billboards can be located in publiclocations, such as, roadways, airports, hotels, or shopping centers. Oneadvantage of electronic billboards, relative to traditional printedbillboards, is that the advertisements presented on the electronicbillboard can be easily changed. For electronic billboards connected toa network, advertisements can be downloaded and/or changed, on theelectronic billboard, as desired by the advertisement provider.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that selects mediacontent for presentation at a media presentation device;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system that selects mediacontent for presentation at a media presentation device according to anexample scenario of mobile devices;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a process used in portionsof the systems described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4-5 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services including services that select media content forpresentation at a media presentation device as described in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2, and 4-5;

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments of determining trajectories of a number of mobile deviceswith respect to a media presentation device, such as a digitalbillboard. A representative interest is determined for an audience ofusers associated with the number of mobile devices, and a media contentitem is selected according to the representative interest forpresentation at the media presentation device. Other embodiments areincluded in the subject disclosure.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a process implementedby a system comprising a processor. The process includes determining arepresentative trajectory of a number of mobile devices relative to adigital billboard, and identifying an audience, wherein the audiencecomprises users of the number of mobile devices. The process furtherincludes obtaining user characteristics of the audience, and determininga representative interest of the audience from the user characteristicsof the audience. An exposure is estimated of the audience to the digitalbillboard based on the representative trajectory of the number of mobiledevices relative to the digital billboard. A media content item isselected according to the representative interest and the exposure, andthe media content item is presented at the digital billboard to exposethe audience to the media content item.

Another embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a system having aprocessor and a memory that stores executable instructions. Theexecutable instructions, when executed by the processor, facilitateperformance of operations including determining a representativetrajectory of a number of mobile devices relative to a mediapresentation device. The operations further include identifying anaudience, wherein the audience comprises users of the number of mobiledevices. User characteristics of the audience are obtained, and arepresentative interest of the audience is determined from the usercharacteristics of the audience of users. An exposure is estimated ofthe audience to the media presentation device, and the estimate is basedon the representative trajectory of the number of mobile devicesrelative to the media presentation device. A media content item isselected according to the representative interest and the exposure, andthe media content item is presented at the media presentation device toexpose the audience to the media content item.

Yet another embodiment of the subject disclosure includes amachine-readable storage medium having executable instructions that whenexecuted by a processor, facilitate performance of operations. Theoperations include determining a representative trajectory of a numberof mobile devices relative to a media presentation device andidentifying an audience of users of the number of mobile devices. Usercharacteristics are obtained of the audience, and a representativeinterest is determined of the audience from the user characteristics ofthe audience. A media content item is selected according to therepresentative interest and the representative trajectory, and the mediacontent item is presented at the media presentation device to expose theaudience to the media content item.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 100 that selectsmedia content, e.g., informative messages and/or advertising, forpresentation at a media presentation device, e.g., a digital billboard122. The system 100 includes a spatial processor 102 configured toreceive mobility information related to a number of mobile devices,including mobile devices within a region or area including the digitalbillboard 122. The mobile devices can include mobile communicationdevices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, personal digitalassistants, laptop computers and the like. The mobility information caninclude, e.g., a location, position, bearing, motion or some otherspatial reference related to the location or position for each mobiledevice. In the illustrative example, the spatial processor 102 receivesgeospatial information 104 by way of geospatial coordinates, e.g., fromGlobal Positioning Satellite (GPS) receivers operating within each of“m” different mobile device.

The geospatial information 104, e.g., coordinates can be obtainedindirectly, e.g., from a mobility service provider and/or a third-partyoperator collecting the geospatial information 104 from the mobiledevices. Alternatively or in addition, the spatial processor 102receives the geospatial information 104 reported by each of the mobiledevices. Such self-reported information can be provided by the mobiledevices, e.g., as a result of a user of each mobile device “opting in”or otherwise choosing to participate in self reporting of suchinformation. In some embodiments, self-reported information is obtainedby way of special communications and/or routine communications, e.g.,with radio communication towers of the mobile service provider. Mobileservice providers can track whereabouts of mobile devices in order todetermine proximity to cell towers.

The geospatial information 104 can be obtained by other techniques, suchas processing of mobile communications not necessarily reporting thegeospatial information 104. Such techniques can include, withoutlimitation, mobile phone tracking techniques to determine or otherwiseestimate a current position of a mobile device whether stationary ormoving. Localization of the mobile device can be obtained, e.g., usingone or more of signal amplitude and signal propagation delay between themobile device, one or more other mobile devices and/or radiocommunication towers of one or more mobility service providers. Suchlocation techniques include processes referred to generally asmultilateration.

An audience detector 106 is in communication with the spatial processor102, and receives a first input from the spatial processor 102. Theaudience detector 106 also receives a second input related to a mediapresentation device, such as a digital display or digital billboard 122.The second input can be obtained from a separate source, such as adigital billboard sales and/or management organization providinginformation related to one or more digital billboards 122, from thedigital billboard itself, or from a database and/or configuration filethat may be local to the audience detector 106. The digital billboardinformation can include spatial information, e.g., a location ingeo-coordinates, an address, or some other suitable spatial reference.Alternatively or in addition, the second input can include informationrelated to one or more of a description of the digital billboard, e.g.,a make and model. Other information provided by way of the second inputcan include device specifications, e.g., screen size, pixelsize/density, intensity, and/or site specific information. Examples ofsite-specific information include whether a device is locatedindoors/outdoors, a height of the display, an orientation, e.g., compassheading or reference to some other landmark, a description of thesurrounding environment, e.g., whether the digital display is locatedalong a roadway, within a building.

The audience detector 106 identifies users of the m mobile devicesreported by the spatial processor 102 exposed to media content presentedat the media presentation device, e.g., digital billboard 122. Theaudience can be identified in real-time, e.g., indicating that theaudience is currently within an exposure region defined with respect tothe media presentation device. Alternatively or in addition, theaudience can be identified before audience members are actually withinthe exposure region, by applying trajectories of the mobile devices anddetermining that the mobile devices will be within the exposure regionat a determinable time, e.g., within some number of seconds or minutes.

Such anticipation of mobile devices about to enter an exposure regionallows time for media content items to be pre-selected and/or queued forpresentation at a future time at which the mobile devices are estimatedto be within the exposure region. A determination as to when the mobiledevices actually enter the exposure region can be determined by updatesfrom the spatial processor confirming updated spatial information, e.g.,positions, within the exposure region. Alternatively or in addition, adetermination as to when the mobile devices enter the exposure regioncan be estimated, e.g., from information from the spatial processorobtained before the mobile device enters the exposure region along withan estimate as to when the mobile device will enter the exposure region.

The exposure region can be defined, e.g., as a region defined within anarea located in front of the digital billboard 122. The area can extendfrom a surface of the digital billboard 122, or from a minimum exposuredistance in front of the digital billboard 122, e.g., one half, onequarter or some other fraction of a width of the digital billboard, outto a maximum viewing distance. The maximum viewing distance can bedetermined as a distance beyond which the media content portrayed at thedigital billboard can be understood. The maximum viewing distance canalso be determined, e.g., as a number of widths, e.g., 10, 20, 50 orsome other number times the width of the digital billboard 122. Theshape of the area can be any suitable shape, such as a polygon, e.g., arectangle, a trapezoid, a semi-circle, semi-ellipse or some combination,e.g., as might be affected from blockages, e.g., walls, buildings. Theshape of the viewing area is generally defined by the area within whichthe media content can be understood and beyond which the media contentcannot be understood or otherwise resolved. The minimum and/or maximumranges can be determined according to the nature of the media contentitself, e.g., whether it contains text, whether it contains still and/ormoving images and so forth.

Although the above refers to determining when the mobile device(s) enterthe exposure region, similar techniques can be employed to determinewhen a mobile device, having been within the exposure region, exits theexposure region. For example, identification of a user of a mobiledevice as an audience member can be associated with a duration duringwhich the mobile device falls within the exposure region. As othermobile devices enter and leave the exposure region, an audience of usersof the mobile devices can be updated to account for an update toaudience membership. Thus, at any given instant, the audience membershipcan be determined according to those mobile devices then within theexposure region. Updates to the audience membership can be accomplishedon an event basis, e.g., upon a mobile device entering or leaving theexposure region, on a time bases, e.g., according to a refresh rate orupdate schedule, e.g., every 1 second, 5 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute,and so forth. Audience membership can be determined in a predictivemanner as disclosed above, and/or retained as a historical record ofwhen users of mobile devices were identified as audience members.

Historical records of audience membership can be useful, e.g., to allowfor tailored message(s), such as a sequence of messages thatcollectively are intended to convey information in a predeterminedsequence. By way of non-limiting example, such sequenced messages caninclude sequenced advertisements in which later advertisements make somereference or otherwise include reference to prior advertisements.Alternatively or in addition, historical records of prior audienceassociation can be used to track or otherwise associate activities ofparticular users. Such tracking can include, without limitation,subsequent search request, purchases, travel and the like.

The system 100 includes an individuals' profile store 110 providingaccess to ancillary information related to one or more members of theaudience. The individuals' profile store 110 is in communication withthe audience detector 106, receiving inputs from the audience detector106, e.g., to identify members of an audience of users of the mobiledevices. The individuals' profile store 110 can access one or moreindividual profiles, or individual profiles 112 related to the membersof the audience. In the illustrative example, the audience includes ‘n’members associated with n mobile devices of the ‘m’ mobile devicesreported by the spatial processor 102. Generally, the number of audiencemembers ‘n’ is less than or equal to the number of mobile devices ‘m,’i.e., n≤m.

The individual profiles 112 can include information in the form ofindividual profiles. The individual profiles can include one or more ofinformation entered by a corresponding user of the users of the mobiledevices, including those mobile devices reported by the spatialprocessor 102. The information can be entered directly, e.g., by thoseusers choosing to opt-in to a message service and/or indirectlyaccording to information collected by one or more third parties relatedto the same user. Information of the individual profiles 112 can includedemographic information, such as gender, age, address, income, spendinghabits, affiliations, e.g., school(s), employer(s), professionalorganizations, clubs and so forth. Alternatively or in addition, theinformation of the individual profiles 112 can include psychographicinformation, e.g., related to attitudes, needs, values and mentalpostures. Such psychographic information can be obtained from apsychographic analysis, e.g., obtained voluntarily by a testadministered to the user of the mobile device and/or indirectly bymonitored activity, e.g., from historical records of online activity.

A profile aggregator 114 is in communication with the individuals'profile store 110, receiving the individual profiles 112 retrieved bythe individuals' profile store 110. The profile aggregator 114determines a profile 116, e.g., an aggregate profile, representative ofthe audience of users determined by the audience detector 106.Determination of the aggregate profile 116 can be a representativeprofile of one or more audience members. For example, one or morecharacteristics or features of individual profiles 112, such as ageand/or gender, can be used to sort the individual profiles 112 intogroups of profiles, e.g., compliant with the one or more features. Theresulting groups of profiles can be arranged or otherwise sorted, e.g.,according to compliance with the one or more features.

The profile aggregator 114 can perform an analysis of the results, e.g.,to determine numbers of audience members sorted into each of one or moregroups of profiles. An aggregate profile 116 can be selected, e.g., as aprofile according to the greatest number of individual profiles 112compliant with the particular features. Alternatively or in addition,the one or more features used to sort the individual profiles 112 can beweighted or otherwise assigned an order of preference. The aggregateprofile 116 can thus be determined according to a weighted ranking ofthe individual profiles. The aggregate profile 116 can also be generatedby selecting or otherwise “cherry picking” particular users according toone or more predetermined characteristics. If more than one, so-called,high value user is identified, the aggregate profile 116 can correspondto the high value user's characteristics over the characteristics of arelative larger number of lesser valued users. By way of example, amessage or advertising directed to women can select user profiles offemale users of the mobile devices, while essentially disregardingcharacteristics of male users of the mobile devices.

In at least some embodiments, an aggregate profile 116 might not reflectany individual profile of the individual profiles 112. Instead, theaggregate profile 116 can be determined as a composite, e.g., pickingand choosing among various features of the individual profiles 112 todetermine a composite profile. By way of non-limiting example, such acomposite aggregate profile 116 can include a profile determined byselecting individual features according to the greatest numbers and/orweighted numbers of individual profiles, averages or other statisticalcombination of such features of individual profiles 112.

A media selector 118 is in communication with the profile aggregator114, receiving the aggregate profile 116 from the profile aggregator114. In at least some embodiments, the media selector 118 receives, fromthe exposure estimator 108 (shown in phantom), an estimate of anexposure of the audience members to the digital display. Alternativelyor in addition, the media selector 118 receives one or more otherinformation items 124, e.g., from ancillary information sources.Examples of such ancillary information can include, without limitation,time of day, day of the week, season, prior history of one or more usersof the audience of users.

The media selector 118 selects or otherwise recommends media contentitems for presentation at the media presentation device, e.g., thedigital billboard 122. Such recommendations can be based on one or moreof the aggregated profile 116, the exposure estimator 108 and/or theother information items 124. The media selector 118 can determine fromthe input from the exposure estimator 108 how long the audiencemember(s) are exposed to the media content item displayed at the digitalbillboard 122. The determination can be based, e.g., upon trajectoryinformation of the mobile devices provided by the spatial processor, toestimate when the audience member(s) are/will be within the exposureregion and/or how long the audience member(s) will remain within theexposure region. The trajectory information for individual mobiledevices can be combined or otherwise used to determine a representativetrajectory of a number of mobile devices. For example, therepresentative trajectory can be determined according to a statisticalevaluation, e.g., an average, of the individual trajectories.

By way of illustrative example, exposure estimates for a roadsidedigital billboard would be substantially different depending on one ormore of the time, day and location. An exposure estimate determinedduring weekday rush hour, i.e., relatively long exposure, versus othertimes, such as nights and weekends, i.e., relatively short exposure, andwould be substantially different. The former can be measured, e.g., inminutes; whereas, the latter can be measured in seconds.

Depending upon the duration of exposure, the media selector 118 canselect an information message format suited to the time of exposure.Particular information messages, such as advertisements, can bepre-configured in different formats, e.g., a five or ten second messageversus a 30 second message. The media selector 118 having determined anexposure time chooses or otherwise selects the appropriate message toimprove or enhance effectiveness—choosing the short format for non-rushhour, versus the long format for rush-hour/traffic. Thus, a messageand/or advertisement displayed during traffic jams can be different thana similar message, e.g., an advertisement to the same products and/orservices. In some embodiments, an exposure threshold can be establishedbased on one or more of the exposure region or the exposure time. Forexample, if an exposure time of the audience is determined to be greaterthan an exposure threshold, a particular message can be displayed.Multiple exposure thresholds can be established, such that one of aselection of different messages can be displayed according to theparticular exposure time falling within a range of exposure thresholds.

In some embodiments, a value can be associated with one or more of theexposure time, the individual profiles and/or the aggregate profile 116.By way of non-limiting example, advertising campaigns can be craftedtowards a particular demographic. Examples include advertising duringsporting events that may be tailored to sports enthusiasts, versusadvertising during children's' shows that may be tailored to childrenand/or adults on behalf of children. Thus, the media selector 118 canselect a media content item suited for adult workers, e.g., anadvertisement, based on the aggregate profile indicative of commuters.Such a conclusion that the audience members are adult workers can bedetermined from one or more of a realization that the message is beingdisplayed on a major thoroughfare used heavily during weekday commutingtimes. Alternatively or in addition, such circumstantial indications aslocation, time of day, speed or velocity can be combined with othercharacteristics of the users of the mobile devices, such as individualprofiles, e.g., age, gender and so forth.

It is also understood that the information obtained or otherwisedetermined by the system, e.g., by the media selector 118, can be usedto determine revenue and/or value of the message and/or advertisingsegment or spot. The value can be responsive, e.g., to a number ofaudience members, a subset of audience members according to one or moreparticular characteristics, a duration of exposure, a location and/orany other information items 124, such as the examples disclosed above.Thus, a message/advertisement segment displayed to a relatively largenumber of audience members, e.g., resulting from heavy traffic within avicinity of the digital billboard 122 can have a greater value than thesame message/advertisement segment displayed to a relatively smallnumber of audience members, e.g., during periods of light traffic.Reference to traffic can include one or more of numbers of audiencemembers and/or a density of audience members within the exposure area,and/or exposure times.

The system also includes a media server 120 in communication between themedia selector 118 and the digital billboard 122. The media server 120can perform one or more functions related to display of the informationmessage/advertisement at the digital billboard 122. By way ofillustrative example and without limitation, functions related todisplay include buffering at least a portion of a media content item,scheduling of presentation of the media content item, formatting of themedia content item, e.g., according to the particular digital billboard122. One or more of the system components 102, 106, 108, 110, 114, 118,120 can be provided as a standalone device or combined with one or moreof the other devices.

It is also understood that one or more of the system components canservice one or more devices of the system 100, e.g., redundant orduplicate, downstream devices to allow for economies of scale. Forexample, the spatial processor can be centrally located at a mobileservice provider facility, a media service provider facility, or somethird party facility, servicing multiple independent groups of mobiledevices, e.g., at different locations with respect to different digitalbillboards 122. For example, a single digital billboard provided along aroadway can include two or more displays facing in two or moreindependent directions, e.g., opposite directions. Thus, the sameinfrastructure, in terms of system components 102, 106, 108, 110, 114,118, 120 can be used to independently drive two digital billboards 122.During rush hour traffic, a first high value advertisement can bedisplayed in one direction, e.g., facing oncoming rush hour traffic,while a low value advertisement can be displayed in the other direction,e.g., facing the direction opposite to the rush hour traffic. The samemessage can be displayed simultaneously to each side of the billboard,differing by value, e.g., revenue derived from exposure of the digitalcontent item.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 200 that selectsmedia content for presentation at a media presentation device positionedwith respect to a roadway, according to an example scenario of mobiledevices. A digital billboard 202 is positioned along a median strip ofan East-West segment of roadway or highway having a number of eastboundlanes 204 a and a number of westbound lanes 204 b. The digital billboard202 includes a display screen that is facing West, to provide messagesand/or advertisements to eastbound traffic 206 a along the eastboundroadway segment 204 a. In the illustrative example, seventeen cars 208a, 208 b are on the eastbound segment of roadway 204 a. A distance,e.g., d₁, d₂, can be drawn from a display surface of the digitalbillboard to each respective car 208 a, 208 b (generally 208) on theroadway segment 204 a. The illustrative example also identifies aminimum viewing distance d_(min) and a maximum viewing distance d_(max),with a range, d_(range) defined between the d_(max) and d_(min).

An exposure region can be determined extending along the eastbound lanes204 a between d_(max) and d_(min), e.g., a rectangular exposure region210. In the illustrative example, only eleven of the seventeen cars 208including mobile communication devices are substantially within theexposure region 210. Users associated with mobile devices in other carson the eastbound lanes 204 a that fall outside of the exposure region210 are not considered to be within the audience of users. Likewise,users associated with mobile devices in other cars 212 on the westboundlanes 204 b fall inside of the exposure region 210 of the digitaldisplay 202, but are not considered as their westbound trajectoriesindicate they are driving away from the display 202.

Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is a mobile service provider tower 215, e.g.,a mobile cellular radio communications tower 215. The cell tower 215 isin wireless communication with mobile communication devices in one ormore of the cars 208, 212 in the roadway segments 204 a, 204 b proximateto the digital billboard 202. Although one cell tower 215 isillustrated, it is understood that more than one cell tower 215 can bein communication with one or more of the cars 208, 212, e.g., accordingto different mobile service providers, geographical differences, levelsof service.

Base station equipment, e.g., at the cell tower 215, or equipment atsome other location, can be configured to determine a location of eachof the cars 208, 212 in wireless communication with the cell tower 215.The base station equipment, or other equipment in communication with thebase station equipment can be configured to determine a trajectory ofone or more of the cars 208, 212. In some embodiments a trajectory canbe determined for each of the individual cars 208, 212. Alternatively orin addition, one or more aggregate or representative trajectories can bedetermined for one or more groups of cars 208, 212.

The term trajectory, as used herein, can include one or more ofposition, e.g., geo-coordinates, direction, e.g., compass bearing, andmotion. Motion can include one or more of speed, velocity, acceleration,deceleration. In some embodiments, motion aspects of the trajectory canbe determined according to two or more position updates. Thus, at afirst time t₁, a first position at time t₁ of p(t₁) is determinedaccording to a first set of geo-coordinates x₁, y₁. At a later time t₂,a second position p(t₂) is determined according to a second set ofgeo-coordinates x₂, y₂. A velocity can be determined according to apositional vector from p(t₁) to p(t₂) over the time difference t₂−t₁.Namely, a velocity V(t₂)=[p(t₁)−p(t₂)]/(t₂−t₁). Standard vector analysisproduces a magnitude of V(t₂) and a direction or angle of V(t₂). Similartechniques can be used to determine acceleration, deceleration,averages, and the like.

In the illustrative system 200, an audience detector 220 receivesspatial information, including one or more trajectories, e.g., a firsttrajectory 213 a, of the eastbound vehicles 206 a and a secondtrajectory 213 b of the westbound vehicles 206 b. The trajectories areillustrated as vectors with arrows indicating direction and sizescorresponding to magnitude. Thus the first trajectory 213 a being muchshorter than the second trajectory 213 b indicates that eastboundtraffic is traveling much slower than westbound traffic. Such a scenariomight be experienced during each morning rush hour commute, with thepattern being reversed between eastbound and westbound for the eveningrush hour commute.

The audience detector 220 may receive trajectories for mobile deviceswithin other vehicles, and/or pedestrians traveling in other directionswithin a proximity of the digital billboard 202 and/or at distancesremote from the digital billboard. The audience detector 220 can beconfigured to process the trajectories 213 a, 213 b (generally 213), andin some instance, determine the trajectories 213 from positioninformation obtained by the one or more cell towers 215, e.g., by way ofone or more networks 218. Although a single network cloud 218 isillustrated, it is understood that network connectivity between andamong any of the devices of the system 200 can be accomplished by one ormore networks, such as proprietary networks, e.g., of mobile serviceproviders, public networks, e.g., the Internet, and the like. Theaudience detector 220 determines which mobile devices, e.g., those cars208 within the exposure region 210 and traveling eastbound, that will beexposed to any messages and/or advertisements presented at the digitalbillboard 202.

A profile aggregator 222 receives identities of the audience of usersfrom the audience detector 220. The profile aggregator 222 obtainscorresponding user profiles, e.g., from a database of user profiles, orother source of user characteristics. The profile aggregator 222determines an aggregate user profile, e.g., according to any suitabletechnique including those techniques disclose herein. A media selector226 receives the aggregate user profile from the profile aggregator 222,e.g., by way of the network 218. The media selector selects one or moremedia content items for display by the digital billboard according tothe aggregate profile of the audience of users. A media server 214receives either the media content items themselves, or an indication ofthe media content items, e.g., a pointer, a uniform resource locator, orother suitable identifier. The media server 214 performs anyreformatting and/or scheduling required and forwards the media contentsitems to the digital billboard 202 for display thereon. The processingdisclosed in relation to FIG. 2 can be accomplished in real time ornear-real time, such that audience members and media content can beidentified and displayed while mobile devices of the audience of userspass within the exposure region 210 of the digital billboard 202.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a process used in portionsof the systems described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. A trajectory of themobile devices is determined at 302, e.g., by one or more of the spatialprocessor 102 (FIG. 1) and the audience detector 106, 220 (FIG. 2). Adetermination whether the trajectory suggests the mobile device iswithin an audience is made at 304. The determination can beaccomplished, e.g., by one or more of the exposure estimator 108, andthe audience detector 106, 220. To the extent that the determinationindicates the mobile device is not within the audience at 304, theprocess continues to determine a trajectory of another mobile device at302. To the extent that the determination indicates the mobile device iswithin the audience, a corresponding user of the mobile device isassociated with the audience at 306. The process can be repeated forother mobile devices, e.g., during a sample period, by repeating steps302-306 for the other mobile devices.

Characteristics of the audience of users are determined at 308.Determination of characteristics can be accomplished by one or more ofidentifying a user profile and/or predetermined user characteristics,e.g., according to one or more of the individuals' profiles store 110,and the profile aggregator 222. Characteristics can include one or moreof a demographic and a psychographic characteristic of a user.

A determination of one or more interests of the audience of users isdetermined at 310. An association and/or selection of one or moreinterest(s) can be determined according to one or more of identities ofthe audience of users and characteristics determined at 308. In someembodiments, a determination of interests at 310 depends to at leastsome degree on other information 218. Examples of other informationinclude prior behavior, e.g., prior web searches, prior purchases,answers to questions, and the like.

In some embodiments, an estimate of exposure to media content presentedat a media presentation device is determined at 312 (shown in phantom).In some embodiments, a determination is made at 314 (also shown inphantom) whether the exposure of the audience of users meets an exposurecriteria at 314. To the extent the exposure meets the exposure criteria,a media content item is selected at 316 for presentation at the mediapresentation device.

Selection of the media content item at 316 can be based upon theinterests of the users determined at 310. Alternatively or in addition,selection of the media content item at 316 can be based uponsatisfaction of the exposure criteria at 314. Selection of media contentfor presentation at the media presentation device can be determinedaccording to various logical combinations of the determined interests ofthe audience of users, satisfaction of the exposure criteria and/orother information obtained at 318 (shown in phantom). Examples of otherinformation include time of day, day of week, season, location of mediapresentation device. Other example of information include, withoutlimitation, prior behavior, e.g., prior web searches, prior purchases,answers to questions, and the like.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 400 for delivering media content. The communication system 400can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 400 can be overlaid or operably coupled withsystems that select media content for presentation at a mediapresentation device as described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, asanother representative embodiment of communication system 400. Selectingmedia content for presentation at a media presentation device, such as adigital billboard, includes determining a trajectory of a number ofmobile devices relative to the digital billboard. An audience of usersof the number of mobile devices is identified and user characteristicsare obtained of the audience of users. A representative interest of theaudience of users is determined from the user characteristics of theaudience of users, and a media content item is selected according to therepresentative interest and the trajectory. The media content item ispresented at the digital billboard to expose the audience of users tothe media content item.

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 410 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 411 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 411 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 414 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 412 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 414 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 418 to commercial and/or residential buildings 402 housing agateway 404 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 418 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 419 to buildings 402. The gateway 404 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 406 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 408 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 407 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 404, the media processors 406, and media devices 408 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.(Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth®Special Interest Group and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). By wayof these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invoked betweenthe media processors 406 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 429 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 4. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 415 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 431 coupled to thebuilding 402. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver431 can be transferred to the media processors 406 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 408. The media processors 406 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 432 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 433 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system400. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 433 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 430, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 432 towireline media devices 408 or wireless communication devices 416.

Communication system 400 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 430 to function as a media content selector (hereinreferred to as media selection server 430). The media selection server430 can use computing and communication technology to perform function462, which can include among other things, determining a trajectory of anumber of wireless communication devices 416 relative to the digitalbillboard 467. An audience of users of the number of wirelesscommunication devices 416 is identified by the media selection server430 and user characteristics are obtained of the audience of users. Arepresentative interest of the audience of users is determined by themedia selection server 430 from the user characteristics of the audienceof users, and a media content item is selected according to therepresentative interest and the trajectory. The selected media contentitem is presented at the digital billboard 467 to expose the audience ofusers to the media content item. The wireless communication devices 416can be provisioned with software functions 464, respectively, to utilizethe services of the media selection server 430.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 417 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 500 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith systems that select media content for presentation at a mediapresentation device as described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, andcommunication system 400 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 400. Selecting media content for presentation at amedia presentation device, such as a digital billboard, includesdetermining a trajectory of a number of mobile devices relative to thedigital billboard. An audience of users of the number of mobile devicesis identified and user characteristics are obtained of the audience ofusers. A representative interest of the audience of users is determinedfrom the user characteristics of the audience of users, and a mediacontent item is selected according to the representative interest andthe trajectory. The media content item is presented at the digitalbillboard to expose the audience of users to the media content item.

Communication system 500 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)540, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 530, and other networkelements of an IMS network 550. The IMS network 550 can establishcommunications between IMS-compliant communication devices (CDs) 501,502, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 503, 505, andcombinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF)520 coupled to a PSTN network 560. The MGCF 520 need not be used when acommunication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 520.

IMS CDs 501, 502 can register with the IMS network 550 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 540. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 501 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 504 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF506. The originating S-CSCF 506 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 517 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 517 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 506 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 506 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 530 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 507 to submit a query to the HSS 540 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 514 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 502. Once identified, the I-CSCF 507 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 514. The terminating S-CSCF514 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 516 associated with theterminating CD 502. The P-CSCF 516 may then signal the CD 502 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 5 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 500 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 500 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 501, 502with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 400 ofFIG. 4.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD503 or CD 505 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 530 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 506 to forward the call to the MGCF 520 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 519. The MGCF 520 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 560 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 5 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 5 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 521, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) baseunit, or another suitable wireless access unit to establishcommunications with the IMS network 550 of FIG. 5. The cellular accessbase station 521 can operate according to common wireless accessprotocols such as GSM, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, WiMax, SDR, LTE, and so on.Other present and next generation wireless network technologies can beused by one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies can be used bythe CDs of FIG. 5.

Cellular phones supporting LTE can support packet-switched voice andpacket-switched data communications and thus may operate asIMS-compliant mobile devices. In this embodiment, the cellular basestation 521 may communicate directly with the IMS network 550 as shownby the arrow connecting the cellular base station 521 and the P-CSCF516.

Alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in a device, system, component,or other form of centralized or distributed hardware and/or software.Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as a respective CSCF systemhaving one or more computers or servers, either centralized ordistributed, where each computer or server may be configured to performor provide, in whole or in part, any method, step, or functionalitydescribed herein in accordance with a respective CSCF. Likewise, otherfunctions, servers and computers described herein, including but notlimited to, the HSS, the ENUM server, the BGCF, and the MGCF, can beembodied in a respective system having one or more computers or servers,either centralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respectivefunction, server, or computer.

The media selection server 430 of FIG. 4 can be operably coupled to thesecond communication system 500 for purposes similar to those describedabove. The media selection server 430 can perform function 462 andthereby provide media content selection services to the wireless CDs 505of FIG. 5. CDs 501, 502, 503 and 505, which can be adapted with softwareto perform function 572 to utilize the services of the media selectionserver 430. The media selection server 430 can be an integral part ofthe application server(s) 517 performing function 572, which can besubstantially similar to function 462 and adapted to the operations ofthe IMS network 550.

For illustration purposes only, the terms S-CSCF, P-CSCF, I-CSCF, and soon, can be server devices, but may be referred to in the subjectdisclosure without the word “server.” It is also understood that anyform of a CSCF server can operate in a device, system, component, orother form of centralized or distributed hardware and software. It isfurther noted that these terms and other terms such as DIAMETER commandsare terms can include features, methodologies, and/or fields that may bedescribed in whole or in part by standards bodies such as 3^(rd)Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is further noted that some orall embodiments of the subject disclosure may in whole or in partmodify, supplement, or otherwise supersede final or proposed standardspublished and promulgated by 3GPP.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 602 which canbe hosted by server applications operating from the computing devices430 of the communication system 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. Communicationsystem 600 can be overlaid or operably coupled with systems that selectmedia content for presentation at a media presentation device asdescribed in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, communication 400, and/orcommunication system 500 as another representative embodiment of systemsthat select media content for presentation at a media presentationdevice as described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, communication 400,and/or communication system 500. Selecting media content forpresentation at a media presentation device, such as a digitalbillboard, includes determining a trajectory of a number of mobiledevices relative to the digital billboard. An audience of users of thenumber of mobile devices is identified and user characteristics areobtained of the audience of users. A representative interest of theaudience of users is determined from the user characteristics of theaudience of users, and a media content item is selected according to therepresentative interest and the trajectory. The media content item ispresented at the digital billboard to expose the audience of users tothe media content item. The web portal 602 can be used for managingservices of communication systems 400-500. A web page of the web portal602 can be accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with an Internetbrowser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™, Mozilla's Firefox™,Apple's Safari™, or Google's Chrome™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device such as those described in FIGS. 1-2. The webportal 602 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor406 and services managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR),a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog, an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG),or a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures, audiorecordings, etc.) stored at the media processor 406. The web portal 602can also be used for provisioning IMS services described earlier,provisioning Internet services, provisioning cellular phone services,and so on.

The web portal 602 can further be utilized to manage and provisionsoftware applications 462-464, and 572-574 to adapt these applicationsas may be desired by subscribers and/or service providers of systemsthat select media content for presentation at a media presentationdevice as described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, and communicationsystems 400-500.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 700.Communication device 700 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1 and/or 2, andFIGS. 4-5. Selecting media content for presentation at a mediapresentation device, such as a digital billboard, includes determining atrajectory of a number of mobile devices, e.g., communication device700, relative to the digital billboard. An audience of users of thenumber of mobile devices is identified and user characteristics areobtained of the audience of users. A representative interest of theaudience of users is determined from the user characteristics of theaudience of users, and a media content item is selected according to therepresentative interest and the trajectory. The media content item ispresented at the digital billboard to expose the audience of users tothe media content item.

To enable these features, communication device 700 can comprise awireline and/or wireless transceiver 702 (herein transceiver 702), auser interface (UI) 704, a power supply 714, a location receiver 716, amotion sensor 718, an orientation sensor 720, and a controller 706 formanaging operations thereof. The transceiver 702 can support short-rangeor long-range wireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee,WiFi, DECT, or cellular communication technologies, just to mention afew. Cellular technologies can include, for example, CDMA-1×,UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well asother next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.The transceiver 702 can also be adapted to support circuit-switchedwireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wirelineaccess technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinationsthereof.

The UI 704 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 708 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device700. The keypad 708 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 700 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 708 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 704 can further include a display710 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 700. In anembodiment where the display 710 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 708 can be presented by way of the display 710 withnavigation features.

The display 710 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 700 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 710 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 710 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 700 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 704 can also include an audio system 712 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 712 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 712 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI704 can further include an image sensor 713 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 714 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 700 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 716 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 700 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 718can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 700 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 720 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device700 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 700 can use the transceiver 702 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 706 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 700.

Other components not shown in FIG. 7 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 700 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 706 of the communication device 700. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 700 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 700 to force thecommunication device 700 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 700 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 700 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 7. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 700 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 406, the media devices 408, or the portablecommunication devices 416 of FIG. 4, as well as the IMS CDs 501-502 andPSTN CDs 503-505 of FIG. 5. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 700 can also represent other devices that canoperate in communication systems 400-500 of FIGS. 4-5 such as a gamingconsole and a media player.

The communication device 700 shown in FIG. 7 or portions thereof canserve as a representation of one or more of the devices of system ofFIGS. 1 and/or 2, communication system 400, and communication system500. In addition, the controller 706 can be adapted in variousembodiments to perform the functions 462-464 and 572-574, respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below. For example, a media presentation device canpresent media content items selected from one or more of a visualcontent item, an audio content item, and a sensory content item. Theexposure region can be determined according to one or more of the mediapresentation device and the media content item, such that audiencemembers can perceive the media content item when positioned within theexposure region. Other embodiments can be used in the subjectdisclosure. Alternatively or in addition, correlations can be drawnbetween exposure of members of the audience of users of mobile devicesto media content presented at the media presentation device. Examplecorrelations include one or more of online activity, e.g., search terms,purchases made before and/or after the exposure. Accordingly, suchcorrelations can be used to measure effectiveness of presentation ofmessages and/or advertisements on the media presentation devices. Suchcorrelation results can be determined collectively for a number of usersof mobile devices or individually for one or more individual users ofmobile devices.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the media selection server 430, the mediaprocessor 406, the spatial processor 102, the audience detector 106,220, a profile aggregator 114, 222, a media selector 226, a media server120, 204, the exposure estimator 108, the media selector 118 and otherdevices of FIGS. 1-2 and 4-7. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network 826) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor (or controller) 802(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU,or both), a main memory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicatewith each other via a bus 808. The computer system 800 may furtherinclude a display unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flatpanel, or a solid state display. The computer system 800 may include aninput device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g.,a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., aspeaker or remote control) and a network interface device 820. Indistributed environments, the embodiments described in the subjectdisclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units 810controlled by two or more computer systems 800. In this configuration,presentations described by the subject disclosure may in part be shownin a first of the display units 810, while the remaining portion ispresented in a second of the display units 810.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 824) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within theprocessor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. Themain memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectlyby way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computingdevice.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 822 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 800.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,can be used in the subject disclosure.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a processingsystem comprising a processor, Global Positioning System (GPS)coordinate information from a plurality of mobile devices; determining,by the processing system in accordance with the GPS coordinateinformation, a portion of the plurality of mobile devices having atrajectory directed to a viewable region for presenting advertisementsat a digital billboard, the viewable region comprising a distance fromwhich advertisements presented at the digital billboard are intelligibleto users of the portion of the plurality of mobile devices, and thedigital billboard comprising an electronic display device thatfacilitates presentation of the advertisements; obtaining, by theprocessing system, user characteristics of users of the portion of theplurality of mobile devices; determining, by the processing system, atarget audience based on shared characteristics identified from the usercharacteristics of the users of the portion of the plurality of mobiledevices, the target audience corresponding to at least a portion of theusers of the portion of the plurality of mobile devices; estimating, bythe processing system, a period of time the target audience will remainin the viewable region of the digital billboard based on the trajectoryof mobile devices of the at least the portion of the users associatedwith the target audience; and selecting, by the processing system, anadvertisement from a group of advertisements according to the sharedcharacteristics of the target audience and according to a presentationtime that corresponds to the estimated period of time the targetaudience will remain in the viewable region; and providing, by theprocessing system, the advertisement to the digital billboard forpresentation during the estimated period of time the target audiencewill remain in the viewable region.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising determining, by the processing system, when one or moremobile devices of the portion of the plurality of mobile devices departsfrom the viewable region.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thetrajectory comprises a position and a bearing.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the period of time comprises an estimation that at least onemember of the target audience remains within the viewable region.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the selecting of the advertisement is inaccordance with the period of time being greater than a threshold. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the advertisement comprises audio, video,still image, or any combinations thereof.
 7. A system, comprising: aprocessing system including a processor; and a memory that storesexecutable instructions that, when executed by the processing system,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receiving GlobalPositioning System (GPS) coordinate information from a plurality ofmobile devices; determining, in accordance with the GPS coordinateinformation, a portion of the plurality of mobile devices having atrajectory directed to a viewable region for presenting advertisementsat a digital billboard, the viewable region comprising a distance fromwhich advertisements presented at the digital billboard are intelligibleto users of the portion of the plurality of mobile devices, and thedigital billboard comprising an electronic display device thatfacilitates presentation of the advertisements; obtaining usercharacteristics of users of the portion of the plurality of mobiledevices; determining a target audience based on shared characteristicsidentified from the user characteristics of the users of the portion ofthe plurality of mobile devices, the target audience corresponding to atleast a portion of the users of the portion of the plurality of mobiledevices; estimating a period of time the target audience will remain inthe viewable region of the digital billboard, based on the trajectory ofmobile devices of the at least the portion of the users associated withthe target audience; and selecting an advertisement from a group ofadvertisements according to the shared characteristics of the targetaudience and according to a presentation time that corresponds to theestimated period of time the target audience will remain in the viewableregion; and providing the advertisement to the digital billboard forpresentation during the estimated period time the target audience willremain in the viewable region.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein thetrajectory comprises a position and a bearing.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein the operations further comprise determining when one or moremobile devices of the portion of the plurality of mobile devices departsfrom the viewable region.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the periodof time comprises an estimation that at least one member of the targetaudience remains within the viewable region.
 11. The system of claim 7,wherein the selecting of the advertisement is in accordance with theperiod of time being greater than a threshold.
 12. The system of claim7, wherein the advertisement comprises audio, video, still image, or anycombinations thereof.
 13. A non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by aprocessing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations, comprising: receiving Global Positioning System (GPS)coordinate information from a plurality of mobile devices; determining,in accordance with the GPS coordinate information, a portion of theplurality of mobile devices having a trajectory directed to a viewableregion for presenting advertisements at a digital billboard, theviewable region comprising a distance from which advertisementspresented at the digital billboard are intelligible to users of theportion of the plurality of mobile devices, and the digital billboardcomprising an electronic display device that facilitates presentation ofthe advertisements; obtaining user characteristics of users of theportion of the plurality of mobile devices; determining a targetaudience based on shared characteristics identified from the usercharacteristics of the users of the portion of the plurality of mobiledevices; predicting a period of time the target audience will remain inthe viewable region of the digital billboard based on the trajectory ofmobile devices of the at least the portion of the users associated withthe target audience; and selecting an advertisement from a group ofadvertisements according to the shared characteristics of the targetaudience and according to a presentation time that corresponds to thepredicted period of time the target audience will remain in the viewableregion; and providing the advertisement to the digital billboard forpresentation during the predicted period of time the target audiencewill remain in the viewable region.
 14. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the operationsfurther comprise determining when one or more mobile devices of theportion of the plurality of mobile devices departs from the viewableregion.
 15. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim13, wherein the advertisement comprises audio, video, still image, orany combinations thereof.
 16. The non-transitory machine-readablestorage medium of claim 13, wherein the trajectory comprises a positionand a bearing.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium ofclaim 13, wherein the trajectory comprises a direction of movement. 18.The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium of claim 13, whereinthe advertisement comprises still image content.
 19. The non-transitorymachine-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the advertisementcomprises video content.
 20. The non-transitory machine-readable storagemedium of claim 13, wherein the advertisement comprises audio content.